Soup please!

If I haven't mentioned it before, let me mention it now: I Love Soup.

Seriously. Soup makes me so happy, and it's something I make pretty often- especially during the fall and winter.

I just feel like it is a nice, hearty, healthy meal. And its a good way to clear out leftovers and pantry items that have been hanging out for too long.

So tonight I decided to make a batch with a few ingredients I found floating around.

I should note: I didn't end up using the peas or corn.

First step: cook the celery and onions. Celery takes a little while to get tender, so I like to start that first.

Then I cubed up some chicken thighs and added them to the mix.

Once the chicken was mostly cooked, I added some white rice, and stewed tomatoes

Then I threw in some white beans and a few cups of water (since the rice will absorb so much) and a large can of crushed tomatoes, with juice and some salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Yes, I said paprika. I think it adds a certain flavor to certain things that is just so delicious.

 I let that all cook for about a half hour so that all the flavors could get real happy together, then I dug in!
And boy was it good!!!